2012-13 Environmental Science Term 2

0.5 Credit
Current Science in the news.

Current events portfolio guide:


Current events in science resources:
www.learning.blog.nytimes.com
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/
http://www.sciencenews.org/
http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/
http://www.eurekalert.org/kidsnews/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment/
http://www.nasa.gov/
http://www.nsf.gov/news/

the media center also has links to a ton of information (newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc); scroll down the left hand column to "science" click, then select the "science current events" tab at the top of the page
http://springlakeparkschools.libguides.com/index.php


TOPIC STUDY: MN WOLF HUNT

MN wolf hunt articles:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/10/28/regional/wolf-hunt-numbers/
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/10/31/environment/ojibwe-ban-wolf-hunting/?refid=0
http://www.startribune.com/local/177119181.html
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/c822e1c0c72a4a06861677830e206f0a/MN--Wolf-Hunt-Minnesota
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/11/12/environment/wolf-hunt-report/
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_22023929/about-150-wolves-killed-statewide-hunt


opinion articles:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/176026361.html?refer=y&vi_adid=W

Background information
video clip: Wolf Managment Laws

Watch Hunting Wolves, Saving Wolves on PBS. See more from NOW on PBS.



video: BBC Wolf Pack

be prepared to discuss the hunting techniques, behavior, social structure, food web, etc of the wolf as we watch the video

Audio: wolf howl
wolf life cycle presentation: wolf pup development: pdf
wolf telemetry lesson - mapping range and tracking behaviors
humans and wolves relationship:
lessons and activities from the International Wolf Center in Ely

Misportrayal in the media: fact vs fiction of wolf behavior
  1. Explain the role of folktales and fairytales in our relationship with wolves.

listen to the podcast (21m) about real interactions and problems in the movie "the grey"
  1. What should you do if you encounter a wolf on your own?
  2. Alpha male and omega female are outdated terms; what terms are used now and why?
  3. What is the probability of a single wolf controlling a whole pack (can he/she direct another to attack or do a specific activity)?
  4. What kind of influence can a wolf have on another wolf?
  5. Is it possible for a human to outrun a wolf? why or why not?
  6. in what ways is the scene of the human in the "wolves den" at the end of the video unrealistic?
  7. How large is a wolf's range in northern Canada (for example)?
  8. How realistic is it to show a wolf defending its territory in the manner displayed in the video? How do you know?


watch a movie, program or other popular media to further research the misportrayal of wolves in the media. Complete a fiction vs fact worksheet to demonstrating your learning and understanding. THIS WORKSHEET IS AN EXAMPLE, you may choose to use a different format



TEST